Nina flushed and dug into her purse. Beneath her lashes, she glanced up at the man, but thankfully he didn’t seem to have noticed her dazed stare. God, he was handsome. Finding her pass, she shoved it at the guard. What had gotten into her? Nina wondered inwardly. She’d never done something like that before. The strength of her desire had flared up out of nowhere.
She watched as the man passed through the metal detector, long legs wrapped perfectly in his raw, denim jeans. It hung on his athletic frame easily, and Nina found herself wishing once again that she knew how to flirt. Kate would know what to do, she thought. Her roommate Kate always had three or four guys hanging around her at any given time. But Nina was scared that he’d think her silly or weird. After all, people didn’t just strike up conversations waiting in lines after all.
The security guard waved her through and she walked forward, her mind still churning. She desperately wanted even just a name, but didn’t know how to do it without sounding like her usual awkward self. Nina busied herself with her bags, and by the time she looked up again, the handsome stranger was gone. She breathed a sigh of relief. In a way it was good that he had left. She didn’t have to worry about what to say or do.
Heaving up her things, Nina took in her surroundings as she cleared security. The departure terminal was chock full of travellers since it was the weekend. Against her better judgment, she searched for the mysterious handsome man. Why are you so disappointed? She asked herself, half angrily. You don’t even know the guy!
Along the left hallway stretched an endless number of gates and lounges, while the right hallway led to the food court. Shouldering her overnight bag, she marched to the left where a sign showed the executive and first class lounge she could stay in before her plane departed. She couldn’t deny that her mom marrying Douglas had its perks. Plus, that’ll keep her stupid mind from hoping and lusting after someone she only met for half a minute.
By the time she was supposed to go check in, Nina had managed to calm herself down. She had been able to down a few drinks, in fact, and was happily buzzed. She was going to St. Lucia for crying out loud! There’ll be plenty more sexy men down there. And it wasn’t as if she could have a relationship with some guy who could be flying off to Tokyo for all she knew. Fortified by her drink, she didn’t even notice the man who was sitting next to her in first class until she’d arrived at the row.
“Hello again,” the man said, getting up and smiling at her.
It was him! The mysterious handsome stranger! Nina blinked a few times, completely shocked by the coincidence.
“This is your spot then?” the guy continued, moving out of the row so that she could get to the window seat.
“Uh,” she said.
He had leaned forward a little to get out from the overhead bins, and Nina caught a whiff of his cologne, all sandalwood and musk. Against her own senses, she leaned forward just a bit to capture more of the scent. He even smelled like sex, she thought inanely. His sapphire eyes, which a moment ago was so serious, seemed to twinkle as he registered her reaction. Yes, she had been that obvious.
“Thanks,” she squeaked out, blushing furiously. She shuffled into her seat, somehow managing not to make an even bigger fool of herself, and sat down in her spot. What happened to all the smooth starters she had planned on saying? At least she was in first class. The plane was small, which meant that they didn’t have the first class pod style chairs that she usually saw. She didn’t even mind. The way the cushioned seats were set up made it feel as though they were in their own little bubble.
“Want me to put your bag up here for you?” he asked.
“Oh, yes. Thank you,” she said.
Nina tried not to look as he took her duffel and raised it to the bin overhead, but she couldn’t tear her gaze away. His shirt lifted up just a little, and she was treated to the sight of his defined abs. The sight of his body sent a fire raging through the core of her body, a deep warmth spreading from between her legs to envelop her whole body. Nina couldn’t understand where the sensation was coming from. One minute she was fine, but the next minute this guy had her squirming in her seat.
She wanted to run her hands over his flat stomach, up towards his muscular chest, but she managed to restrain herself, hands clenched tight beside her. What on earth am I thinking?! She thought. I can’t do that! He’ll think I’m crazy. She managed to avert her eyes just as he closed the lid of the compartment and sat back down.
“I’m Hayden,” he said.
“Nina,” she replied. She didn’t know whether she should put out her hand for a shake or what in this situation. Deciding that too much time had passed for that, she put on a smile instead, hoping she didn’t look too nervous. “So, you’re going to St. Lucia too huh?”
Smooth Nina, real smooth. Where else would he be going on this flight? Her inner self said sarcastically. But if Hayden thought so, he didn’t act it.
“Yeah, I’ve got my dad’s wedding to go to. Normally I’d be pretty pissed at him, but I’d just finished up with our quarterly reports, so I figured that I could use a break. I used to think it’d be easy to own a business with the way my dad treated the job, but it’s actually a lot harder than I thought.”
“Wow. So you’re like the head of your own company?” Nina said, eyes wide. Hayden didn’t look that much older than her, maybe in his late twenties.
“Yeah, it’s just a family business though, so it’s a bit of an unfair advantage.” He gave her a little lopsided grin, showing his dimple once more. “But talking about work is boring. I won’t bother you about it anymore.”
Nina wanted to tell him that it wasn’t a bother, that she’d listen to whatever he said as long as she could keep looking at his perfectly formed lips. She wanted so badly to kiss them, to feel them on her own, that she’d actually ask him to kiss her if they kept talking any longer. How could a man make her feel such an urgent longing? It was as if until now Nina had been kept in ice. The sensations
that coursed through her body from seeing and being so close to Hayden made her feel more aware, more alive somehow.
“Oh, uh, it’s okay. I think it’s interesting,” Nina said, realizing that the silence had once again stretched a little too long. God, why do I have to be so tongue-tied when it comes to guys?! Kate would undoubtedly have a guy wound around her little finger by now. But instead of backing off like guys usually do with Nina, Hayden actually leaned forward a little, resting his chin on his hand. Nina flushed, pleased by the fact that he was giving all of his attention to her.
“You’re just being polite,” he said with a teasing smile. Nina couldn’t help but smile foolishly back. I bet he could get anyone he wanted with a smile like that. “Why don’t you tell me about yourself instead?”
“Myself?” she said, her voice pitching high. She couldn’t imagine stringing together two sentences right now; he was so close to her. All she wanted to do was listen and nod, committing every little detail about him into her memory for later. Hayden’s blue eyes twinkled.
“Yes. Tell me about Nina,” he said, placing his hand upon her arm. Her eyes opened wide at the touch. She could feel the reassuring heaviness of it, the warmth of his skin against hers. A shiver flitted up her arm as she struggled to maintain control. How could a man do all of this to her, with just one touch?
“I’ve been really hoping that we could get to know each other on this flight a little more,” he continued, his eyes darkening just a little.
“Oh!” she said. So he had felt it too when they were in line at the security check! She thought she had completely imagined it, as was usually the case. Her chest felt tight, and her breathing became shallow as she realized just what that meant. He feels the same way I do. The warmth of desire pooled deep between her legs, reminding her of just how much she wanted him. “Me too.”
“So, maybe we can start with something easy?” Hayden said. “What are you most excited to do once we land in St. Lucia?”